Category: events

For the past 6 years Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum, Aireborough Civic Society, local Councillors & MPs have been opposing Leeds City Council Plans to take away important Green Belt sites in Aireborough for building.

During that time we have kept hearing politicians say that the Green Belt is protected!

We were extremely puzzled and disappointed that the Planning Inspector removed many other Green Belt sites from the Leeds Sites Allocation Plan, but not 4 important sites in Aireborough. The Neighbourhood Forum felt that this injustice could not be ignored and agreed to pay for further advice from the barrister who represented us at the hearing.

We now have 3 weeks to challenge the Planning Inspector’s decision, to allow building on our Green Belt, by going for a judicial review. Our barrister considers that we have a very good chance of success. It is important to note that we are doing this for residents (current and future) not ourselves.

However the costs and timescale make this a massive challenge. £40,000 is needed by 21st August for us to be able to challenge these dreadful plans. But if 4,000 people each donate £10 then we shall be able to go ahead and try to overturn the decision.

Three of the four sites are of historical importance in addition to their Green Belt function and the planning inspector was made aware of this in our submissions and at the examination. All will add to already chronic congestion (about 800 more cars) and air pollution and there are access issues with all of the sites. Members and residents attended enquiries and made responses in writing with legitimate objections. These have been ignored.

The Inspector’s Report

The Planning Inspector who examined the Leeds plans has now given the go ahead to allow the 4 Green Belt sites in Aireborough to be built on. NOWHERE IN HER REPORT ARE ANY REASONS GIVEN FOR HER DECISION, despite the fact that GREEN BELT is supposed to be protected and one site (near Guiseley Church) is in the Conservation Area.

We have no evidence that the inspector even visited the sites to assess the impact on the landscape.

Even more questionable is that Leeds is allowing 810 more houses than it actually needs to meet its target, so the 475 in Aireborough are not actually needed! Again the inspector failed to comment on this objection too.

If we do nothing to prevent this damage to our local countryside we shall regret it and therefore we urge you to support our campaign by donating, and also spreading the word to all who value our Green Belt and countryside. Other parts of the country are also suffering from poor planning choices and decisions.

Key Points Justifying A Judicial Review of the Planning Inspectors Decision to Allow 4 Aireborough Sites to Remain in the SAP

The NPPF states that Green Belt sites should only be taken in EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. Leeds has never explained what these exceptional circumstances are and NEITHER has the Planning Inspector.

Leeds has taken more GREEN BELT LAND than they actually needed — for 810 dwellings more than the target number.

No evidence that the Planning Inspector even visited Wills Gill, The Ings, or Hollins Hill.

The Inspector has also allowed 36 hectares of Green Belt land to be used near Leeds/Bradford Airport for an employment hub, without clear reasons of why other nearby brownfield land could not be used.

Advice from a barrister on the inspector’s report is that we would have a good chance of winning because
a) she failed to answer technical anomalies in Leeds statistics,
b) nor did she explain why individual sites should be retained in the SAP despite evidence to the contrary presented by many organizations and residents at consultations and at the enquiry.

It is therefore the intention to apply for a judicial review into the inspector’s handling of the Leeds SAP Enquiry. This is quite an undertaking as an application will cost about £12,000 and the costs of a full hearing could cost up to £40,000 – a real David and Goliath situation.

The fees are to employ a specialist planning barrister and a firm of solicitors who know the complexity of planning law, are aware of case-law, and have some understanding of the complicated situation in Leeds and Aireborough.

However if 4000 residents donated just £10 each those costs would be covered. The timescale is also very tight with a deadline of 21st August. Donations urgently requested. A crowdfunding site has been set up for this.

The Friday evening walks were started in 1993 by the late Albert Shutt, then Chairman of the Aireborough Civic Society. His plan was to explore the Aireborough area, visiting places even local residents hadn’t been to, and ensuring footpaths were kept in use.

Unless stated the walks are normally between 3 and 4 miles in length. The pace is as fast as the slowest walker.

As the walks cover a variety of terrain, sturdy footwear is strongly advised, along with weatherproof clothing. Most of the walks involve gradients, hills and stiles.

If you have any questions about a particular walk please contact the walk leader at the telephone number given.

The traditional end of season meal will be held on Friday 29th November 2019 at Rawdon Golf Club. 7:00pm for 7:30pm. A meal will also be held in February 2020 when the walks programme for 2020 will be arranged.

Join Colin as he reminisces about his travels with the Queen and the meals he has prepared for her at Buckingham Palace, Windsor, Sandringham, Balmoral and on the Royal Yacht.

This is a fascinating presentation and the audiences simply won’t want Colin Alderson to stop. Hear about the preparation it takes to get ready for a State Banquet, making 2,000 canapés and 4,000 lobster tartlets and many more intriguing stories of life in the palace kitchens

Colin Alderson who was the Queen’s official pastry chef for five years has cooked for many a royal occasion from banquets and parties for hundreds of people, to simple breakfasts for Queen Elizabeth 2nd herself. He has also seen how Christmas happens in the royal household, including Windsor House, Sandringham Palace and on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.